UK surname
An Anglicized spelling of a surname derived from the French "Hugue" or "Hugh".
In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Hugley surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2004, the modern count was 1, ranked #38,771, down from #32,926 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Prees, Bebbington and Rowley Regis. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hugley is 121 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 83.3%.
1881 census count
6
Ranked #32,926
Modern count
1
2004, ranked #38,771
Peak year
1861
121 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hugley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hugley surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 44 | #25,328 |
| 1861 | historical | 121 | #18,148 |
| 1881 | historical | 6 | #32,926 |
| 1891 | historical | 35 | #31,540 |
| 1901 | historical | 19 | #31,911 |
| 1911 | historical | 7 | #33,083 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Prees, Bebbington, Rowley Regis, Walthamstow, Low Leyton and St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prees | Shropshire |
| 2 | Bebbington | Cheshire |
| 3 | Rowley Regis | Staffordshire |
| 4 | Walthamstow, Low Leyton | Essex |
| 5 | St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford | Somerset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hugley surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hugley, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Hugley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hugley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Hugley is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hugley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hugley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HUGLEY is of English origin, stemming from the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the village of Hugeley, located in the county of Staffordshire, England. The name is derived from the Old English words 'hoh' meaning 'ridge' and 'leah' meaning 'woodland clearing' or 'meadow'.
Records indicate that the name HUGLEY first appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The earliest known bearer of the name was William de Hugeley, who was listed as a landowner in Staffordshire during the 11th century.
In the 13th century, the HUGLEY name was also documented in the Curia Regis Rolls, which were the legal records of the royal court during the reign of King Henry III. These rolls mention a certain Robert de Hugeley, who was involved in a legal dispute over a property in Staffordshire in the year 1230.
During the 14th century, the HUGLEY name gained prominence when Sir John Hugley, a knight from Staffordshire, fought alongside King Edward III in the Hundred Years' War against France. Sir John Hugley distinguished himself in the Battle of Crécy in 1346 and was rewarded with additional lands by the King.
In the 16th century, one of the most notable bearers of the HUGLEY name was Richard Hugley, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Worcestershire, England. Richard Hugley was born in 1520 and was known for his philanthropic efforts, establishing a charitable trust to support the education of underprivileged children in his region.
Another prominent figure with the HUGLEY surname was Sir Thomas Hugley, a celebrated military commander who served under King Charles I during the English Civil War in the 17th century. Sir Thomas Hugley was born in 1598 and fought in several major battles, including the Battle of Edgehill in 1642 and the Battle of Naseby in 1645.
In the 18th century, the HUGLEY name was associated with the renowned author and philosopher, William Hugley. Born in 1725 in Oxfordshire, William Hugley wrote extensively on topics such as ethics, politics, and the nature of human society. His most famous work, "A Treatise on Human Understanding," published in 1748, had a significant influence on the Enlightenment movement.
These are just a few examples of the historical significance and notable bearers of the surname HUGLEY, which has its roots in the medieval English countryside and has endured through the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hugley surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Warwickshire leads with 5 Hugleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.92x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warwickshire | 5 | 33.92x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 11.14x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 5 Hugleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 101.83x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 5 | 101.83x |
| Docking | 1 | 3333.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hugley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Hugley surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2004. That gives Hugley a modern rank of #38,771.
An Anglicized spelling of a surname derived from the French "Hugue" or "Hugh".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hugley bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.